Nathan Bowden
August 30, 2009

"I miss him"

"Jim, Becky, and Erica. It has been months since I got the phone call early that sunday morning and yet somehow I feel as if it hasnt totally sunk in yet. I remember growing up and going to the wrestling tournaments and the whole team trying to find one hotel to our selves. I remember us kids playing water football while the parents would drink a lil and communicate about how well we would do at state or districts the next day. Nate who was a loving freind, brother, son, and uncle will never be forgotten. Even when we were in high school breaking into the concession stand and coach was watching us the whole time. My legs still hurt from all the running. Nate will be with me forever and I just wanted to thank you for bringing someone who could always laugh into this world. Thank you. With love. God bless..."

"Jim and Becky, The one thing I always feared most; the loss of a child. You now suffer through this. I am so sorry for your loss. It must be the hardest thing in the world to have to come to terms with. Believe this, Nathan will come to you in your dreams, to let you know he is ok. Find strength in his presence and this will give you the ability to carry on. Life truly never ends. He will always be around you, to protect and comfort you. I pray that you will find peace through time and family/friends to support you. Warm regards..."

"Jim, I am so saddened to hear of the loss of your boy. I know how much you and Becky love him. If he�??s anything like you Jim, he�??s already poured the foundation for your mansion next to his in heaven. Hold on to all the joy you shared and look forward with faith and hope to that blessed reunion oneday. Call if there is anything I can ever do for you. You and Becky are both the best of us all and I am proud to call you my friend. "

"Jim and Becky, I was sadden to hear about the sudden lose of Nathan. I was fortunate enough to have coached Nathan in Little League baseball. I always thought of Nathan as someone of great character. For me, Nathan will always be remembered as young man that was always respectful, hardworking, dedicated, and loved his family. Nathan will be missed and I pray the love of God enfolds you during your difficult times and he helps you heal with the passage of time. S. Tyler McGhghy "

"Jim and Becky, No words can express how sorry I am for your loss, just blessed we have so many great memories of the old days at the wrestling club."

"I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. "

"Bowden family so sorry for your loss.I didn't know your son personally but my daughters did.But it is always so sad when a young person with so much a head of them is taken to soon.May god bless you all.Sangster Family"

"Jim and Becky, So sorry to hear of the loss of your son Nate. He and my son Daniel had several chances to talk about their trucks and motors. This week has been a difficult time for you, but just wanted you to let know our thoughts and prayers our with you and your family. Jane,Lync and Daniel Fellows"

"Words cannot touch your heartache. Our thoughts are with you."

"Jim and Becky, Family Iam sorry for you loss. A Note from The Kay,S During this difficult time, may the comfort of God,s loving arms carry you through the qiuet moments, and bring you peace. With Deepest Sympathy Sammy B Kay And Family "

"Jim and Becky, My heart goes out to you and your family in this difficult time. May God give you the strength to get you through this difficult time. I am praying for you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. From the amount of support you received last night and today, it just goes to show how much Nate was loved by EVERYONE in this community."

"Becky and Jim: So sorry to here about your son our prays and thoughts are with you always. God Bless you all."

"There are no words to express how sorry we are for your loss. Take comfort in your memories. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. With deepest heartfelt sympathy."

"Jim,&Becky, When I heard of the terrible news, I cried and started praying for your family. My daughter Renesha, and nephews Trevor and Dimitrie thought the world of Nathan. They said he could make you laugh and smile always. I had a chance to work with him at Wal-mart, he always smiled and was very respectful to me. I would tease him about his parents, and I would tell Nathan he was alot like his dad Jim, with Becky's smile. May god wrap his arms around you and the family and give you much peace and comfort. Hold on to the memories and you will see him again. God Bless. Renita,and Renesha Hill"

"Jim, Becky, and family, We are shocked to hear this sad news. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God bless you all. "

"Jim and Rebecca, I was saddened to hear of Nate's accident. I am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. "

"Jim and Becky, Shock and disbelief hit me tonight when I found the information in the online Gate City version. No words are going to be able to comfort you at this time. Maybe you will find comfort some day in all of the messages that have been left for your family. I will always remember Nathan as one of the boys Shane played his YMCA ball with when we were in Keokuk. "

"JIM AND BECKY I AM SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR SON NATHAN!,AND THE PAIN YOU HAVE TO BARE.NO PARENT SHOULD EVER HAVE TO FEEL THAT KIND OF PAIN! ALWAYS KNOW IM HERE FOR YOU,& ALWAYS KNOW YOUR IN MY MIND AND MY SOUL.I LOVE YOU BOTH VERY MUCH!"

"We are so sorry for your loss. Nate was a terrific kid with the most contagious grin of anyone we knew. You couldn't help but to grin back no matter what mood you were in. He will deeply be missed. May God guide you through this tragic time in your lives."

"Let me introduce myself, I am Ron Taylor's sister, Joyce who lives in Florida. My heart completely went into shock over your loss. I'm not sure if Ron ever told you but I lost my oldest son in an auto accident also in 1998. There is no pain that I have ever been through that can compare to the loss of a child. It leaves a hole and emptiness in your heart that can never be replaced. I encourage you to find an outlet for your grief. Speak with your minister, join a support group for parents who have lost their children, write in a journal all the feelings you was experiencing. There will be many emotions that you will feel and experience...you'll wonder why? you'll get angry and mad; you'll be depressed and you'll even find things funny in your grief. I went through several emotions in one day and thought I was losing my mind. I sent this book title to Ron to give to you HOW TO GO ON LIVING WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOVE DIES BY Therese A. Rando, Ph.D. When your attention span is almost nothing, the book is easy to understand in short, paragraphs. It helped me and I have recommended it to a few others that have experienced the same loss. Of course, you will have to find your own way through your grief. Don't let anyone tell you how to grieve and how long to grieve. It is the most personal of griefs...after all, our children are not suppose to go before us. Please know that my sincerest, heartfelt condolences are with you during this time. I can relate and totally understand what you are going through and no words of sympathy can make it easier."

"We ran the go-kart track near Ft. Madison and were lucky to have the opportunity to know Nate. He was a wonderful kid and we are saddened to hear of his untimely passing. Our prayers are sent up for you and your family during this difficult time. May God keep you in his loving embrace while you deal with your loss."

"My heart breaks for you. We will always remember all the wonderful wrestling memories with Nate. God will lift you up through this and is taking loving care of Nate. "

"Dear Becky, Jim and Family, It is with deep sympathy that we send you our thoughts and prayers. We hope as time passes that your are able to look back upon the great years you were able to have with your son and remember them with joy. May you find strength in your faith in these difficult hours. Steve and Lynn Morris and Family."

"We wanted you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts & prayers. Our daughter, Kelsey, always said wonderful things about your son. She always told us he could brighten up even the borest class or event. We pray that God gives you the strength in these difficult times and know that he will always be with you. May God bless you and your family. Gary, Trish & Kelsey Payne"

"Jim and Becky, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this really trying time. We had gotten to know Nate through our granddaughter, Kelsy, and he was really a special kind of guy. It may not seem like it today, but remember that if God brings you to it, he will bring you through it. Sharon and Clifford Huls"

"Jim, Becky & Family, we are so sorry about the loss of your son, you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. "

"Jim, Becky and Erica. We were sadden to read about Nate's accident in the Des Moines Register. We still think of Erica and Nate as teenagers from church. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May your cherished memories help you through this very difficult time."

"Dear Becky, Jim, and family, We were so sorry to hear about Nate. You are in our thoughts and prayers."

"Jim and Becky I can remember the very first time I seen Nate. I was walking Austin into his very first wrestling practice at the high school. He was only 6 at the time and I noticed one of the older boys because he also had red hair and a face full of freckels just like my son. That boy was Nate. Over the next several years through wrestling club I had the privilege to get to know all of you. I remember Austin always sitting beside the mat when Nate wrestled. I thought how great it was that he took such an interest to watching the older boys..especially Nate because of my fondness of him.Thinking the whole time that he was really watching him wrestle. Later I found out it was the singlet Nate had.....red, white, and blue one I think. But Austin loved that thing and wanted one just like it. I bet I told Nate that story a hundred times and he always laughed like he just heard it. My heart goes out to you. May god watch over you at this difficult time. My thoughts are with you. Monica, Josie, and Austin O'Donnell "

"Jim and Becky, I knew Nate the last 4 or 5 years and I have to tell you, he was a great kid. I loved to razz him about his beloved Red Sox , especially me being a Yankee fan. In his own quiet way he gave me the business when the Sox won the series both times. He was a special kid and my family and I want you to know we are thinking of you now. God Bless you."

"jim and becky only met your son once but we are good friends with cassie and john bowden and we are sorry for your lost our prayers are with you and your family"

"Jim & Becky, I can't imagine what you and your family must be going through. I am so sorry for your loss. "

"Jim, Becky and Erica, I know this is an extremely difficult time for you. Nate was a good friend to my Grandson, Tommy, and a "big brother" to Emilie. I know Tami loved him like a son. In my books, this says alot about his charactor! I would like to express mine and Gary's deepest sympathy to you and all the people whos lives he touched. God Bless your family. Nancy Kraus"

"Jim, Becky and Erica, We are so very sorry for your unspeakable loss. We are saying prayers for you. God bless you and keep you. Terri Henson Butler Jenna Henson Thomas Annie Henson"

"dear jim and becky...there is not greater love nor greater loss than that of a child. you always have and always will hold a place in my heart, you are family to me, and my heart and prayers go out to you. all my love.......sandra mason and family"

"Jim,Becky and Erica, Words cannot begin to express the deep sorrow we feel for the loss of your son and brother Nate. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God be with you, Wendy and Ethan Frakes"

"JIM AND BECKY I AM SO SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR LOSS, I KNOW HE WAS A AWESOME SON, HE HAS AWESOME PARENTS, HE IS IN GODS HANDS, GOD WILL HELP U BOTH GET THRU THIS ROUGH TIME. GODBLESS AND MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY, DANA WRIGHT "

"Jim,Becky, Erica, Peyton, Kathy and Helen, Nathan was an awesome son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. May your faith in God help you through this sorrow. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry for your loss. Nathan will truly be missed by many. "

"Jim and Becky i was so sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful son Nate.He was wonderful child and brought a smile to eveyones face.I remember him from the age of 4 and watched him grow. May god bless you all. Gone but not forgotten."

"Jim,Becky&Family,Words are of a small comfort now,but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family now.God Bless you."

"Becky and Jim: My heart broke when I read Renita (Galbreath)Hill's post on Facebook to send prayers to you both on the loss of your son. I am so sorry! I know we haven't seen each other for quite a few years, but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you during this trying time. Love, Lisa (Gibson) Van Winkle and Brian Van Winkle. "

"Jim, Becky, and Erica, I'm really sorry to hear about Nate. May you find the strength you need in the Lord to get through this time, and come out stronger than before. You will be in our prayers, The Weber Family."

"I am so sorry for your loss. I had Nate in a class I taught at SCC (psychology). I was saddened to see of the accident in the newspaper and though I do not know any of you personally, I will be thinking of you throughout the coming days. "

"Jim and Becky..I am so sorry to hear about Nate .It is so heart breaking for me to think that little guy I took care of for so long is gone.I loved him and Erica..I want you to know you and your family are in our thoughts..God bless you all..Steve&Lisa Rairden"

"Becky, Jim and Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers over the loss of Nate. He had been to the house many times and he and Ryan and friends always seemed to have a good time together. Always a polite young man when here. I would never hear him and I would always say to Ryan, "who's white truck is that". Low and behold there would be Nate sittin there. It looks like they really enjoyed life. He has many friends and that is a great indication of what a fine young man he was. He will be missed by all of us. Ryan, Erin, Mary Jo and Greg Uhlmeyer"

"Jim and Becky, I'm praying that God gives you strength to get you through this difficult time. I know many people are praying for you. Trust in God, he will get you through this. "

"Jim and Becky i was so shocked to hear of the passing of nate.He was such an awesome kid what a wonderfull person to remember and be so touched that we all got to know him. Our prayers are with the family God bless you all, cyndy,Coy,Tracie and the Six family."

"Jim, Becky & Family, You are in our thoughts & prayers at this very difficult time. Trust in knowing you have your family & friends to lean on."

"May God be with your family and also with the friends of Nate. He was loved so much by so many. I pray that you will find peace and understanding during this difficult time. May God Bless You All. The Allsup/Anderson family"

"Jim and Becky, Words cannot cannot take away the grief you must be going through at this difficult time, but please know that we all are praying for you and asking God to give you strength. You're in our thoughts and prayers. Joy and Kaedence"

"Jim and Becky, Words cannot cannot take away the grief you must be going through at this difficult time, but please know that we all are praying for you and asking God to give you strength. You're in our thoughts and prayers. Joy and Kaedence"

"I don't know you but have heard alot about Nate, from our grandson Sam Marlin who is very special to us, along with sister Savannah.Just want to let you know you are in our prayers. God will help you through this terrible time of your life. Love and Prayers Grandma & Grandpa Shoup"

"Jim and Becky, please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son. May the soul of your departed rest in peace. Amen."

"Jim and Becky, please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son. May the soul of your departed rest in peace. Amen."